Unit Summary
 During this Unit of study the Music Theory students
will study the historical facts and compositional
techniques associated with Baroque Style Four Part
writing. The students will also study the common
characteristics between this past compositional style
and the compositional style used when writing school
Alma Maters. Students will form common threads
between to two genres, using historical examples and
musical techniques, to aid them in composing their own
school Alma Mater. The students will them perform,
present, and critique their composition for their
colleagues.
Curriculum Framing
Questions
Essential Question
 How do music compositions from past centuries affect
the musical compositions of the present day and the
future?
Curriculum Framing
Questions
Unit Questions
 What compositional techniques are found to be
successful, based on audience appeal and longevity
through history, when writing four part chorales?
 What are some historical, musical, and society based
characteristics of school Alma Maters?
 Would changing a school Alma Mater affect school
pride
Curriculum Framing
Questions
Content Questions
 What is a four part chorale in a Baroque Style?
 Who is the most famous Baroque composer who composed four
part chorales and how were his compositions used in the 1600s?
 What compositional techniques are needed to complete a
composition for SATB choir?
 What common characteristics are found in all school Alma
Maters?
 What are some characteristics of the texts of school Alma Maters?
This project will help my students develop
21st century skills by:
• Collaborating and critiquing with peers.
• Analyzing their composition and comparing it to the
examples given in class.
• Solving problems and making decisions about their
composition.
• Communicating with others in a blog.
• Having their composition be applied to Real Life
situation.
Gauging Student Needs
Assessment
 Examining Prior Student Work
 To gain knowledge and assess compositional ability level of
each student. Possibly group work may reflect the need to
group higher level students with others for peer guidance
throughout project and to promote peer evaluation and
critique.
 K-W-H-L Worksheet
 To gather prior knowledge and have students brainstorm
about topic given at top of page.
My Goals for the Course
 Find compositional projects that address the curriculum
needs for Music Theory 1, while also finding Real Life
applications that the students can achieve in a relatively
short amount of time.
 Try to take complicated material, such as music
composition, and break it down into simple pieces to
present to the students in a fun way.
 Share ideas with other teachers
Goals for My Students
 Make connections between the music studied in class
from past centuries and music used today in Real Life
situations.
 Expand creative thinking in music.
 Practice compositional skills.
 Discuss school traditions and how music is a part of
these traditions.